Career
He made over 200 appearances in The Football League and a handful of appearances in the Scottish Football League. Born in Dundee, he began his career with Junior-level club Belmont Athletic before joining hometown club Dundee F.C. In 1903 he moved to Celtic, where he spent a single season before moving to England to play for Bristol City. After three years with the Anfield-based club, he opted to join Gillingham of the Southern Football League as player-manager.
In his first season in charge the "Gills" secured their best position in the league for three years.
Gilligan did not return to the club after the First World War and appears to have ended his career back in his native Scotland, where he played for Forfar Athletic. with Bristol City.